The U.S. Air Force (USAF) plays a significant role in the space industry, historically serving as the Department of Defense's executive agent for space, and developing early military space programs and launch vehicles. Although the U.S. Space Force was established as an independent branch in 2019, the Air Force continues to contribute to space operations, including training personnel, research and development, and maintaining partnerships. The USAF's space-related activities encompass satellite operations, missile warning, communication support, and collaboration with allies to ensure regional stability. Key partners include the U.S. Space Force, other branches of the military, and international allies.
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In summer 1977, Lazy Cat was assembled in Danbury, Connecticut, and shipped to Patrick Air Force Base in Florida.
Colonel Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force, delivered the keynote address at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas on 2024-03-08.
Live flight tests of the MQ-20 Avenger and XQ-67A will support the emerging U.S. Air Force Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) capability.
The CCA program is a U.S. Air Force effort to develop a low-cost, modular, unmanned aircraft equipped with advanced sensors or weapons that operates in collaborative teams with next-generation manned combat aircraft.
Unifly, Terra Drone, and Aloft are seeking partnerships with eVTOL manufacturers, operators, vertiport operators, aviation authorities, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), and urban planners.
Christopher Cokinos dreamed of becoming an astronaut after first becoming an Air Force pilot.
The SD/R4i TRASC system supports Air Mobility Command commander General Mike Minihan’s intention to have 25% of the AMC fleet connected by 2025.
The Air Force requested funding for the moving targets indicator program in fiscal year 2025 but planned to start the work in 2024.
The Air Force needs to replace large surveillance planes like the E-8 JSTARS because they are considered too vulnerable in modern combat scenarios against advanced air defenses deployed by adversaries like China.
The U.S. Air Force selected its first two programs under the quick start initiative on 2024-04-16.
A second Muon Space satellite launched 2024-03-04 on the SpaceX Transporter-10 rideshare flight as a prototype weather satellite for the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit.
The first payload delivered for the U.S. Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program was the DSCS A3 communications satellite on 2003-03-10.
Ed Dwight was a U.S. Air Force pilot selected as an astronaut candidate by the Kennedy administration in 1961, the first Black person to be considered for U.S. astronaut candidacy.
Ed Dwight completed the ARPS program in 1963 and was recommended by the U.S. Air Force for the NASA Astronaut Corps but was not selected for NASA.
Ed Dwight completed the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) program in 1963.
The U.S. Air Force recommended Ed Dwight for the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1963 but he was not selected for NASA.
There have been 44 Delta IV launches to date, all successful, for customers including the Air Force, Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, NASA, and commercial entities.
Solstar Space was selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II contract valued at $1,248,735 to address challenges for the Department of the Air Force.
Astrobotic will co-locate parts of its Propulsion & Test department with AFRL experts at Edwards Air Force Base.
Flight tests for Quarterhorse Mk 1 will take place at Edwards Air Force Base.